GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Despite two embarrassing losses to Brett Favre in the first half of the season, at least the Green Bay Packers were beating the teams they're supposed to, until Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"Our passing game was not productive, or as productive as it's been in the past," said coach Mike McCarthy. "(The Buccaneers) played a lot of man-under, match coverage, or however you want to refer to it as. We had a number of opportunities for one-on-ones, and for whatever reason, we did not get that accomplished. I thought time and time again, particularly in the first three quarters, we had ample time. Really our biggest pass protection breakdowns were in the fourth quarter."

Green Bay is reeling after blowing a fourth-quarter lead to a previously winless Tampa Bay team starting a rookie quarterback Sunday. Now 4-4 at the season's halfway mark, a team expected to make a serious playoff push now finds itself on the verge of a free fall going into Sunday's home game against Dallas. Now, coaches and players have to take on the challenge of righting the ship.

"It was a game we expected to win," said McCarthy. "It's a game that we didn't do some of the necessary things in spots of the game. Yes, this will definitely be a challenge."

The problems are the same: Too many sacks allowed on offense, not enough pass rush on defense and costly special teams lapses. Packers coach Mike McCarthy maintains that the mistakes are correctable and insists the season isn't a lost cause.

Coach McCarthy said T.J. Lang could be used at a position other than tackle in the weeks ahead. "I think T.J. has warranted that. I think that is a good observation. But yeah, I'm a little concerned about the musical chairs that once again we have played on our offensive line."